’19 to be ‘The Year of the Glove’

Mike Anich

Reporter

manich@leaderherald.com

JOHNSTOWN — Fulton County Historian Samantha Hall-Saladino and the Fulton County Museum are declaring 2019 “The Year of the Glove.”

In conjunction with that, Hall-Saladino told county supervisors Wednesday that a “large event” will be planned for next year.

“We talked about applying for a grant to do some oral history interviews,” she said.

Hall-Saladino reported to the Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development and Environment Committee that her office hopes to partner collaboratively with a school teacher from Perth, Scotland, where glove making was once a “robust” industry. She said experts believe Sir William Johnson recruited glove makers from the Perth, Scotland area to settle in Johnstown.

“Plans tentatively include a student art show that will be complimented by student-created pieces from Scotland, a possible new exhibit, and oral history interviews with local community members who worked in the industry,” Hall-Saladino reported. “We are really looking to make this a large event that pulls in several community partners, but are in the very early stages and will be working on this as the year progresses.”

In conjunction with the “Year of the Glove” celebration, Hall-Saladino said her office is trying to obtain an Olympic glove made locally. She said the hope is to create a giant glove to hang on Main Street in Gloversville as part of the celebration.

Elsewhere in her monthly report to the committee:

∫Hall-Saladino said planning is underway for the year’s first collaborative program with the Fulton County Museum titled, “Bloomers to Boomers, Part I: Women’s Empowerment through Fashion, 1850s-1920s.” The free event will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 12 at the museum, 237 Kingsboro Ave., Gloversville. She said Part II will be in 2019.

The museum event will include a tea catered by Mendetta’s of Gloversville; an interactive presentation by Kjirsten Gustavson, a museum educator with the state Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; and a fashion show with vintage pieces provided by McLemon’s of Johnstown. Reservations are required due to space limitations at the museum.

Hall-Saladino said her office and the museum is hoping to partner with the Girl Scouts or middle school students to serve as “models” for the fashion show. She said the evening with conclude with a 20-minute film about flappers and an opportunity to explore museum exhibits.

∫Hall-Saladino said she presented a program, “The History of Slavery in Fulton County,” Feb. 21 at the Gloversville Public Library as part of Black History Month programming.

∫She also reported almost everything has been moved into her new office. Her office was recently moved from the basement of the County Office Building to the Office for Aging/Youth building on North William Street.

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at manich@leaderherald.com.